SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

I had so wonderful responses to my last inquiry in this group, so I have another question:

I just finished Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency and it felt so good to read something this witty. So I was wondering, if there are other authors out there, who have a similar style like Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett? (Connie Willis in the first half of the Doomsday book was along that line for me)

I don't care whether it is SF or Fantasy ( or which subgenre thereof). It is only about the style.

Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente might work, we recently had a buddy read if you want to see what people thought.

To Say Nothing of the Dog definitely maintains her witty style throughout. You’re reading that for a buddy read, right?Also her novella “Blued Moon” is totally delightful. Vonnegut’s work is darker, but often laugh-out-loud funny. Have you read any of his novels?

Maybe try Christopher Moore? He writes kind of absurdist stuff, really funny. Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal is a good one.

Christopher Buckley is another one, but not SF/F, more real world satire. Wrote Thank You for Smoking and Boomsday

A. Lee Martinez? Cranky Dead or A Nameless Witch

I think The Princess Bride is in line with the wit of those books. John Scalzi might scratch the "funny" itch. I laughed out loud through The Collapsing Empire. He even has a spoof of Star Trek, if you're interested ;-) I haven't read it yet, but it's supposed to be pretty good.

The Gentleman Bastards series, starting with The Lies of Locke Lamora is noted for its humor. I think it's a bit more crude, but the first book was highly enjoyable. I guess the second one was interesting, too, but not to the same extent for me. Haven't gotten to the third yet.

I think The Rook by Daniel O'Malley would fit what you are looking for. It’s definitely reminiscent of Adams in the amount of chaotic nonsense going on, but provides a lot of laugh out loud moments. There’s a chapter about an oracular duck that I will never forget.

Becky wrote: "Maybe try Christopher Moore? He writes kind of absurdist stuff, really funny. Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal is a good one.

Christopher Buckley is another..."

I also endorse both Christophers.

See also Max Barry: Machine Man, Lexicon, Jennifer Government, etc.

I like Steven Brust's humor

The Book of Jhereg

his writing style varies from book to book but they all have bits of humor in them

also Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid stories can be pretty funny as well

The Peter Grant books by Ben Aaronovitch

Tom Holt (Expecting Someone Taller) and Joe Zieja (Mechanical Failure) are the authors who have reminded me of Pratchett and Adams in my recent reads.

I love this group! I just finished strangling my 5.30 am alarm and had a look at my notifications - and what a fantastic list I got for my question. Thank you so much, everybody!

Anna, I found "Space Opera" to already be on my TBR list, so somehow it must have sparked my interest before (even though I can't remember).

Anthony, yes, I'm so looking forward to the second Oxford Time Travel BR. Vonnegut is one of the many authors I've read short stories of but can't remember a thing. I have to put Vonnegut on my "need to re-introduce" list.

Becky, Christopher Moore sounds absolutely like someone I would like! And the Nameless Witch intrigues me as well.

Allison, Princess Bride looks like a lot of fun. For Redshirts (if this was the Scalzi book you're referring to) I already have a BR scheduled for December.

Sarah, oh yes, The Rook indeed sounds perfect!

Trike, I will have a look at Max Barry. Since I wanted to read all of the books for the language poll, I will start with Lexicon here.

CBRetriever, I will have a look into Steven Brust's work.

Fee, I already heard a lot about Ben Aaranovitch, but never read anything by this author. So I guess now is the perfect time to get acquainted.

Udayan, the title alone (expecting someone taller) made my day. This one will definitely go on my list.

Just a heads up about Christopher Moore - I haven't read Lamb, but some of his other books - especially the ones with Pocket the Fool - can be very crude with lots of cursing.

It doesn't bother me, but I know some people can be turned off by it.

How about the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde starting with The Eyre Affair.

I was just going to suggest Fforde. The latter books in the series aren't so fun, but the first one is dynamite. Also, EXPECTING SOMEONE TALLER by Tom Holt.

Brenda wrote: "I was just going to suggest Fforde. The latter books in the series aren't so fun, but the first one is dynamite."

Agree with that, I'd say the first sequence (so up to Something Rotten.

Also, Johannes Cabal the Necromancer is worth a read.

The Gentleman, possibly. A bit more romance oriented than normal but fairly satirical in tone. Also seconding Johannes Cabal.

I'll third Johannes Cabal. 💖

Well, shit, looks like I have to add a few things to my list, too.

Such great suggestions! Thank you so much!

With Johannes Cabal recommend by Tanya, Sha and colleen this one goes definitely on my list.

Tanya and Brenda: Fforde sounds great!

@colleen: thank you for the heads up. Where I come from swearing is quite common, so this is no problem at all.

I just remembered laughing a lot at This Is the Way the World Ends by James K. Morrow. It’s definitely dark humor but it was pretty damn funny if my memory serves. (I read it a long time ago.)

Anthony, "laughing a lot" sounds perfect! Thanks!

I'm reading Snuff by Prachett. It's fun and interesting. At first I thought it was kind of silly but the writing and the story get you. You have to keep reading and I have.